Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-04-28
THE PROSPECTS IN SOUTH
WESTERN KANSAS.

The population in this section, con-
trary to the rule in more thickly settled
communities. is not centered around the
towns. The range of country lying just
adjacent to the cities and villages is gen.
orally the property of wealthy specula-
tors, who are holding it for a great ad-
vance in price. Consequently persons
passing through on the railroad very nat
urlly get the impression that the popula-
ton outside the towns and cities is very
sparse. This is not true, however. After
drive of a few miles out, the observer
leaves the dreary neglected territory of
the Spectator and passes into the domin-
ion of the farmer. Hence forward no
part of his trip is uninteresting. A few
sod houses are yet to be seen on the prai-
ries, but these with the other features the
the dug-out and crude cattle sheds, are
giving away. for substantial dwellings
and barns and many other conveniences
The outside surroundings of the farmers
present ample evidence of prosperity
The young trees are budding, the green
grass is peeping through the stubble, the
fields are covered with variety of young
crops, and the gardens are smiling with
profuse promises of early vegetables. The
soil in South Western Kansas, during a
favorable season is adapted to produce
anything. The crops now most in favor
among the farmers, as far as observed
seem to be corn, and alfalfa, and German
millet The wheat looks WE'LL though
there does not appear to be very great
quantity sown. We are speaking of
course from a very limited knowledge as
to the extent of wheat growing in gene
raj in the county.
We are told that turnips were prof.
table crop to raise because they grew so
rapidly that the inside ones crowded out
those on the borders of the patch, so that
in gathering them it was only necessary
to pass around with sacks and pick up
the elected turnips. We disclaim all re-
sponsibility for this statement, as it can
not be said to come from disinterested
witness.
The farmers are just making a begin
ming The world was not built in day,
and neither can the farmers be expected
to accomplish everything in a year. A
comparatively small portion of the land
is under cultivation, but the farmers are
beginning to realize that every foot of up
turned sod is an overture to the rain god,
SO that in few years the patches of raw
prairie will be as rare as the antelope
and buffalo that once depended upon it
for their food. The prairies of the west
have been briefly but adequately describ-
ed by senator from Mimi, in the fol,
lowing language: Here in the far west,
where the prairies are like scrolls of God,
wherein are writ the world broad wealth,
the plowman begins at early dawn, and
plows far into the shades of afternoon,
and never touches stump, nor turns q
stone"
To men confined to the cities of Europe,
or on poor farms in New England, OF
working in mines and factories at paupe1
wages, with no hope or destiny for their
dependent families, this country offers
you new life, and prospects as seduc-
tive as the most wonderful tale ever pour.
ed into the ears Of the primitive Ameri
can settler
We eXtend heartier welcome to emf
grant trains loaded with your families and
possessions than to palace cars with
monied spectators.
. With an increase of rain fall every year,
and the rain belt moving steadily toward
the west, when science and history
teaches us that it is only necessary to
prepare the soil in order to receive and
retain moisture, no man is competent to
predict the ultimate degree of wealth
and progress in this western country.